At a glance
- Without a ticket
- Bring a picnic blanket to the HOTA Parklands for the big-screen screening, food trucks and free Ferris wheel rides, all from 4pm
- When
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026; the main show is 6pm to 8:30pm, followed by fireworks
- Where
- HOTA Outdoor Stage and HOTA Parklands, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
- Cost
- Free; the Ferris wheel rides are free for the whole family
- Parking
- 4 hours free if you enter your registration at the meter
- Who it’s for
- Anyone who missed out on a free ticket for the HOTA Outdoor Stage and still wants to go
- What to do now
- Use the second ticket round, 6pm Tuesday 27 October, or plan to arrive for the Parklands from 4pm
- Last checked
- Tuesday 27 October 2026, against the City of Gold Coast event page
- Not yet confirmed
- Whether the Parklands has a capacity limit, what you can bring in, and where the fireworks can be seen from
You can still be part of the Mayor’s Christmas Carols without a ticket: the City of Gold Coast says to pack a picnic blanket for the HOTA Parklands, where the show is screened on big screens and there are food trucks and free Ferris wheel rides for the whole family, all from 4pm on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November. The second round of free tickets for the HOTA Outdoor Stage is at 6pm tonight, Tuesday 27 October.
This guide uses the City’s What’s On Gold Coast page for the event and its media release, read on 27 October 2026, plus the City’s and HOTA’s parking and travel pages. For tickets, times and getting there, see our main Mayor’s Christmas Carols guide.
Is there another chance to get a ticket?
Yes, if you read this before 6pm on Tuesday 27 October. The City says free tickets for the HOTA Outdoor Stage are limited and were released in two rounds: 9am on Monday 26 October and 6pm on Tuesday 27 October. Radio station Hot Tomato reports a limit of 4,000 people each night and says the event always sells out, so the second round may not last long. The City’s event page does not show a booking link in the text we read, so start from the What’s On Gold Coast page.
What can I do on the Parklands without a ticket?
The City lists these things on the HOTA Parklands, all from 4pm:
| What | Details from the City |
|---|---|
| Screening | A family-friendly screening of the event on the big screens |
| Food | Food trucks |
| Ferris wheel | Free rides for the whole family; the release says it is the first time the event has had a Ferris wheel |
| Seating | Pack a picnic blanket, according to Mayor Tom Tate |
The Mayor said in the City’s release: “If you miss out on a ticket, pack a picnic blanket and still be part of the magic at the HOTA Parklands.” The pages we checked do not say how many people the Parklands holds, whether the fireworks finale can be seen from there, or whether chairs, coolers or alcohol are allowed.
When does it start?
The Parklands activities start at 4pm, which the City gives as the time gates open. The main show on the HOTA Outdoor Stage runs from 6pm to 8:30pm on both nights, hosted by 7NEWS’ Amanda Abate and Chris Parsons, and finishes with fireworks. The City says Auslan interpreters will be on hand.
Where do I park if I come without a ticket?
Parking rules are the same whether or not you hold a ticket. The City’s event page says parking may be limited, parking regulations still apply during events, and you get four hours of free parking by entering your registration at the meter. The City’s HOTA Precinct Carpark page says that from 9am to 7pm the first 4 hours are free, a flat rate of $8.40 applies if you stay longer than 4 hours, and parking is free and unrestricted after 7pm, as of October 2026.
Two cautions from the City’s pages: you must enter your registration at a meter on arrival or you may get an infringement, and the four free hours cannot be redeemed through the EasyPark app. HOTA says there are almost 900 spaces across the precinct, but parking can be limited during major events.
How do I get there without a car?
The City says to skip the parking by using public transport, walking or cycling, and to plan with the Translink journey planner. HOTA’s Getting Here page lists the G:link to Surfers Paradise and then about a 20 minute walk across Chevron Island, the HOPO Ferry between Surfers Paradise and the Broadwater Parklands with a stop at HOTA, and ride-share drop-off on Chevron Island followed by a short walk over the HOTA Green Bridge. We have not found extra tram or ferry times for the carols.
What does HOTA say about bags and rules?
HOTA says event-specific conditions, including bag restrictions and prohibited items, may apply. For selected events, bag checks may be in place, and large bags or items may need to be cloaked. HOTA asks visitors to bring only what they need and to keep their belongings with them. We have not found conditions published for the carols, so check the City’s event page closer to the date.
Who do I contact?
The City lists its events team on (07) 5588 4000 and at events@goldcoast.qld.gov.au. For accessible seating or access questions, HOTA’s Box Office is on (07) 5588 4000.
Sources
- What’s On Gold Coast — Mayor’s Christmas Carols (City of Gold Coast; checked 27 October 2026)
- Mirage News — Mayor’s Christmas Carols Mark 15 Years of Festive Fun (reprint of the City media release)
- Hot Tomato — Gold Coast Mayor’s Christmas Carols launched for 15th edition
- City of Gold Coast — HOTA Precinct Carpark
- HOTA — Getting Here
Featured image: a Ferris wheel in Surfers Paradise, photographed in 2011; it is not the wheel at HOTA (photo: Sheba_Also 43,000 photos / CC BY-SA 2.0) (text added)
OZ Local Updates is an independent local guide and is not affiliated with the City of Gold Coast, HOTA or 7NEWS. Event details can change; check the City’s event page before you go.